Movies about gambling and casinos have proven to be quite popular among moviegoers. Maybe it’s the fact that they’re often paired up with crime and action stories, which continue to fascinate people. So today, we’ll cover some of the best gambling movies of all time.
Alexandra Nereng from beste casino in Norway has compiled this list using her experience and knowledge of both the casino and film industry. Her articles are always exciting for readers.
The movies on our list aren’t only about gambling. You’ll find movies relating to the mafia, secret agents, and other genres, sure to interest all our readers. Maybe one of these movies will be your choice for the next movie night.
Casino Royale (2006)
The first entry is maybe one of the most well-known movie franchises. Nearly everyone knows James Bond, and he’s no stranger to casinos either. It was also the first appearance of Daniel Craig in the role, and some critics wondered if he could pull it off.
In Casino Royale, gambling, particularly poker, takes center stage in the movie’s story. Bond takes place in a high-stakes game against Le Chiffre, which could decide the future of the world. As a result, it’s one of the most intense poker movies.
Casino (1995)
Casino is a classic crime thriller by Martin Scorsese. With an all-star cast of veteran actors like Joe Pesci and Robert de Niro, it’s not hard to see why the film was so successful. In addition, it’s widely considered to be one of the top gambling movies.
It follows two mobsters, Nicky and Ace, who are looking to become casino managers down in Vegas. Unfortunately for them, trouble has a way of following you, and everything isn’t exactly smooth sailing. Ultimately it’s the perfect mix of the mob and gambling genres.
21 (2008)
Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to count cards and beat the system? Well, 21 is based on a real-life story of a group of MIT students that were able to win against the house for almost a decade.
While the movie had a lot of controversy and mixed reviews, it was ultimately a success at the box office. One major criticism was the all-white cast, despite the fact most of the people in real life were Asian American.
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Ocean’s Eleven isn’t so much a gambling movie as it is about a casino heist. Danny Ocean (George Clooney), a recently released convict, takes center stage here. He ends up recruiting 11 other partners (hence the name of the movie) in order to pull off a big casino heist.
The film enjoyed great success and was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2001. Two sequels, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen, were also produced. So if you want to experience Las Vegas on your screen, this is a great one.
Molly’s Game (2017)
If you’re looking for more recent gambling movies, Molly’s Game is definitely worth watching. Like many movies, it’s based on a real story, in this case, the life of Molly Bloom. Bloom was a US Olympic skier who unfortunately got injured. Afterward, she became a poker player and ended up hosting several high-stakes games.
Sounds pretty exciting, right? In this movie, gambling takes center stage, making it one of the best poker movies. Overall, Molly’s Game had a great cast of characters and proved to be an exciting watch.
Owning Mahowny (2003)
Owning Mahowny is a movie that shows the dark side of gambling and all the negative effects that can come with it. It’s a flick that’s loosely based on a Canadian Bank Manager who took money from his own bank and used it to fund his gambling problem.
Philip Seymour Hoffman takes the lead role and does a brilliant job. After stealing the money from his bank, he heads down to Atlantic City, a well-known casino destination. The movie has some great scenes and does a great job of portraying how gambling can ruin someone.
Conclusion
That wraps up our list of several of the best gambling movies. What other movies might come out soon that end up being fan favorites? We’re also keeping our eye on the Korean movie scene, which has produced some excellent films lately.